Horse-collar.



No. 818,621. PATENTBD APR. 24, 1906. G. W. HAHN.

HORSE COLLAR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.1, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wi/bvwww W MM No. 818,621. PATBNTED APR. 24, 1906. G. W. HAHN.

HORSE COLLAR.

APPLICATION FILED NOVA, 1904 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6 U M inlllllmmllllllllllllllllllllllm ll'lll PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE WV. HAHN, OF MANSFIELD, ILLINOIS.

HORSE-COLLAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

Application filed November 1, 1904. Serial No. 230,975.

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. I'IAHN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Piatt and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Home Collar, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in horse-collars.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of horse-collars and. to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive one which will possess great strength and durability and which will be capable of ready adjustment both laterally and longitudinally to vary its width and length to enable it to fit the neck of the animal to which it is applied.

A further object of the invention is to provide a horse-collar of this character which will adjust itself to the position of the neck and avoid rubbing and chafing the same.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a horse-collar constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of adjustably connecting the sides of the horsecollar at the top thereof and the means for supporting the metallic neck-pad. Fig. i is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged rear elevation of the upper portion of one of the metallic sides of the collar. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the lower portion of the same. Figs. 7 and S are detail perspective views of the upper and lower casings. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the locking devices for securing the adjustable connectingbars to the ends of the sides of the horse-collar. Fig. 10 is a rear elevation, partly in section, illustrating the construction of the fastener for securing the lower adjustable bars or members together.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawmgs.

1 1 designate two thin metal sides, which carry at their inner or rear faces complete side pads 3, and the latter are detachably secured to the metallic sides, preferably by means of flexible staples of copper or other suitable material.

The particular construction of the metallic sides and the side pads do not constitute a portion of the present invention, but are claimed in an application filed by me on or about the 17th day of May, 1904., Serial No. 208,409.

The horse-collar is adjustable both laterally and longitudinally to enable it to fit properly the neck of the animal to which it is applied, and the metal sides are connected by adjustable upper and lower bars or members 12 and 13. The upper adjustable connection forms a hinge-joint, as hereinafter described, and the lower connecting bars or members are detachably secured together at their adjacent ends to permit the sides of the horse collar to be unfastened and swung apart, whereby the horse-collar is adapted to be quickly placed on and removed from a horse or other animal.

The upper adjustable connecting bars or members 12 are angular or approximately L- shaped and have longitudinal and transverse portions arranged in sockets or sleeves 13, located at the upper ends of the metallic sides 1 and preferably formed by stamping the same from the inner'face thereof to provide one wall of the socket or sleeve, the other walls of the same being formed by a casing or piece 14, riveted 01' otherwise secured to the metallic side. The casing or piece is approximately U-shaped in cross-section, being com osed of two side walls and a connecting-will and it is provided at suitable points with attachment flanges and ears 15 and 16, which are pierced by the rivets 17. The sockets, which are open at their outer ends, extend longitudinally of the sides 1, and the longitudinal portions of the upper connecting-bars are provided at intervals with corner-notches 18, which are engaged by locking devices 19. The locking device 19 consists of a shaft or spindle journaled in suitable openings of projecting ears 20 and provided at its upper or outer end with an operating-arm 21, having a lug 22, arranged to extend through a slot or opening 23 of the casing 14 for engaging one of the notches of the adjacent bar 12. The upright wall or back of the notches is slightly curved, and the lug is provided with a curved edge, which is arranged to frictionally engage the inner face of the metallic side, whereby it is retained in engagement with the adjustable bar or member 12; but any other suitable means -may be employed for holding the locking devices in engagement with the adj ustable bars or members 12.

The upper connecting-bars have their longitudinal portions converged slightly and are adapted to be moved inward and outward to bring their recesses into register with the slots or openings of the casings. After the connecting-bars have been properly adjusted the locking devices are engaged with the same to secure the collar in its adjustment.

The transverse portions of the connectingbars 12 are adjustably pivoted at their adjacent ends to a transverse section or member 24, provided with grooves to receive the connecting-barS 12 and consisting of two sides and a connecting'portion. The sides of the transverse section or member 24 are provided with perforations 25 for the reception of bolts 26 or other suitable fastening devices, which pivot the connecting-bars to the said section or member 24 and which also adjustably connect the parts to enable the top of the horse-collar to be varied in width.

' The lower connecting-bars 14 are arranged in sockets or sleeves formed by stamping the lower-ends of the sides 1 from their inner face to provide a portion of the sleeves or sockets, and the otherportion of each lower sleeve or socket is formed by a casing or piece 25*, secured to the inner face of the side 1. The casings or pieces 25 have their outer ends 26 enlarged and forming continuations of the lower ends of the metallic sides 1. The

casings or pieces are composed of side walls and a connecting-wall, and the side walls are also connected at the enlarged ends of the casings or pieces by wall-sections 27 to form entrances to the sockets or sleeves. The enlarged ends of the lower casings are riveted to the metallic sides 1, and the casings are also provided at opposite sides with perforated ears 28 for the reception of rivets or other suitable fastening devices. The connectingbars 13 are disposed transversely of the horsecollar and are provided with corner-recesses 29, adapted to be engaged by locking devices 30. The locking devices 30, which are constructed like those heretofore described, consist of shafts or spindles provided at their outer ends with suitable operating handles or arms and having lugs 31. The lugs 31 extend through slots or openings of the casings and operate in the same manner as those before described. By this construction the lower ends of the sides of the horse-collar may be adjusted toward and from each other.

The adjacent ends of the bottom connecting-bars are detachably secured together by fasteners. The projecting end of one of the bottom connecting-bars 13 is provided with a casing 32, in which is pivotally mounted a spring-actuated pawl or dog 33, arranged to engage the other bottom connecting-bar, which is provided with a head 34. The casing, which is curved, is composed of two sides formed integral with the bar or member, to which they are connected andspaced apart to receive the pawl or dog, which is pivoted at one end by a rivet 35. The other end of the pawl or dog is free and is arranged to be operated by the finger, the outer sides of the casing 32 being bent outward to admit of the. introduction of the finger into the casing. The spring 35*, which actuates the dog, is substantially U-shaped, being secured to the dog and to a connecting portion of the casing, as clearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. The casing 32 of the fastener fits against the enlarged extended portions of the lower casings 25 when the lower ends of the horsecollar are at the limit of their inward adj ustment.

The transverse section or member 24, which adjustably receives the transverse portions of the top connecting bars or members 12, forms a support for a metallic neck-pad 36, which is provided with a socket 37 for the reception of a depending ball 38 of the transverse section or member 24. The metallic neck pad, which is preferably lined with leather or other padding, is adapted to readily adjust itself to the neck of an animal, whereby all chafing and rubbing of the collar against the animal is efiectually prevented.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is V 1. A horse-collar, comprising sides, means for detachably connecting the sides together at the bottom, angular bars adjustably and detachably connected to the sides at the top, and a transverse member consisting of a single piece located beneath and adjustably pivoted to the contiguous ends of said bars, thereby forming hinge-joints on which the sides are adapted to swing in opening and closing the collar.

2. A horse-collar, comprising sides, means for detachably connecting the sides together at the bottom, bars composed of longitudinal portions connected to the sides at the to and transverse portions pro'ecting inward y toward each other from t e longitudinal portions, and a transverse member consisting of a single piece located beneath and pivoted to the contiguous outer ends of the transverse portions of the said bars, thereby forming hinge-joints on which the sides are adapted to swing in opening and closing the collar, said transverse member forming a support for a neck-pad and also supporting the transverse portions of the said bars.

3. In a horse-collar, the combination of two sides provided with sockets, connectingbars detachably fitted in the sockets, means for detachably fastening the connecting-bars together at their outer ends, and locking de vices for holding the connecting-bars in the sockets, each locking device consisting of a rock-shaft or spindle provided with a lug or projection extending into the socket and en gaging the connecting-bar thereof.

4. In a horse-collar, the combination of two sides provided with sockets, connectingbars adjustably fitted in the sockets, and locking devices for holding the said bars in the sockets, each locking device consisting of a rock-shaft or spindle extending longitudi nally of the socket at one side thereof and provided with a lug extending through one wall of the socket and engaging the connecting-bar thereof.

In a horse-collar, the combination of two sides provided with sockets, connectingbars adjustably fitted in the sockets, and locking devices, each consisting of a rockshaft or spindle extending longitudinally of the adjacent socket at one side of the same and provided with a lug extending through one wall of the socket and engaging the connecting-bar thereof, said rock-shaft or spindle being also provided with an exterior opcrating-arm.

e. In a horse-collar, the combination of sides having sockets, connecting-bars adjustably secured in the sockets and provided with transversely-disposed portions, and a transverse member independently pivoted to the transverse portions and arranged below and exteriorly of the connecting-bars to form a support for a neck-pad.

7. In a horse-collar, the combination of two sides, L-shaped connecting-bars adjustably secured to the sides and having transverse portions, and a transverse member having a groove open at the top to receive the transverse portions of the connecting-bars, said transverse member being pivotally and adjustably secured to the same.

8. In a h01secollar, the combination of two sides, connectingbars secured to the sides and having transverse portions, a transverse member receiving the transverse portions of the connecting-bars, and pivots adjustably securing the transverse portions of the connecting-bars to the transverse member and hinging the former to the latter.

9. In a horse-collar, the combination of two sides, connecting-bars vertically adjustable longitudinally of the sides and provided with transverse portions, a transverse member arranged below and receiving the transverse portions of the connecting-bars, and pivots adjustably securing the transverse por tions to the transverse member and hinging the former to the latter.

10. In a horse-collar, the combination of two thin metallic sides stamped at their inner faces to form partial sockets, casings se cured to the inner faces of the sides and coinpleting the sockets, said casings being also provided with bearings, connecting-bars adjustably fitted in the sockets, and locking devices journaled in the said bearings and provided with means for engaging the connectlug-bars.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto allixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE IV. HAHN.

Witnesses:

Josirn Snrrxnn, II. R. GLADDEN. 

